The Chicago Bears hold seven picks in this year’s draft. They have the 10th overall pick, 39th, 41st, 72nd, 148, 233 & 240. Thanks to what they were able to accomplish thus far in the offseason, they are not in a position where they are drafting strictly for need. They can take a “best player available” approach with all their picks.

Over the next several weeks I’ll spotlight every position group, with the exception of quarterback (the Bears won’t draft one) and specialists (aka kickers, punters and long snappers).

Last week, I covered the offensive and defensive lines. In this piece, I’ll focus on running backs.

The Bears running game left a lot to be desired in 2024. A lot of that can be blamed on their terrible offensive line, but the fact is that they lack a consistent chain mover in the backfield.

D’Andre Swift had some big runs last season, but he averaged less than four yards per carry. Too often he was stuffed for no gain or a loss. Again, a lot of that can be blamed on the offensive line, but also that’s just who Swift is. He’s boom or bust. He’s not the type of back an offense can lean on to grind down a defense and salt away a game.

Roschon Johnson is a serviceable short yardage runner, but he’s been largely disappointing since being drafted. Travis Homer is mainly a special teamer. The Bears have no other running backs on the roster.

The Bears need a bell cow running back. That guy that can consistently get them 4-5 yards per carry.

Fortunately, for them, this is one of the better running back classes in years, headlined by the best prospect since Bijan Robinson.

First Round

Boise State’s Ashton Jeanty is the premier running back in a loaded class. If he’s on the board at ten, there will be plenty of Bears fans pounding the table for him.

Can’t say I’d blame them, he’s most likely the best player available, but a running back in the top ten feels like a luxury pick to me. One the Bears shouldn’t take, especially when they can land a very good back on day two, even decent ones with upside into day three.

I wouldn’t hate picking Jeanty, and I’m sure he’d eventually become one of my favorite Bears, but I just think they can add a running back later while drafting a high impact player at a position of greater need.

Day Two

Most draft analysts, including me, think North Carolina’s Omarion Hampton will get drafted in the first round. Some mocks even have the Bears taking him at ten, which is much too high and a pick I would absolutely hate.

Not that I hate Hampton, in fact I like him very much, but Jeanty is the only running back I think should be under any consideration for the Bears.

If Hampton is on the board when the Bears go on the clock on day two, I would be ecstatic with the pick.

Ohio State’s TreVeyon Henderson & Quinshon Judkins are both prime second round prospects. Henderson is the more explosive player, the home run threat. I’d be okay with him, but I prefer his teammate, Judkins.

Judkins is exactly the type of running back the Bears need. He’s the consistent chain mover they lack. He’s the type of back they can wear down defenses with and salt away victories.

Judkins is also a good receiver. He’s a true three down, workhorse running back.

If the Bears haven’t taken a running back by the third round, and Iowa’s Kaleb Johnson is still on the board, they have to take him. Johnson is another physical, consistent chain mover.

Arizona State’s Cameron Skattebo is an intriguing prospect. He’s a violent runner that will not be taken down easily. He lacks top end speed to outrun NFL defenses, but he’ll provide consistent yardage and he’s a decent receiver.

I like Skattebo, but I wouldn’t take him before day three. He’s more of a complementary back than a true lead back, in my opinion.

Day Three Prospects

There’s still plenty of good running backs that will be available on day three. Most are complementary backs best suited for specialized roles as part of a committee approach. Some could develop into lead backs and others offer special teams value.

Some names to remember:

• Bhayshul Tuten, Virginia Tech
• Ollie Gordon II, Oklahoma State
• Dylan Sampson, Tennessee
• Devin Neal, Kansas
• Tahj Brooks, Texas Tech
• Kaleel Mullings, Michigan
• Trevor Etienne, Georgia
• Donovan Edwards, Michigan

Like a lot of Bears fans, I want them to take advantage of this good crop of running backs. I just don’t want them to spend their first round pick on one. I’d much prefer they add a left tackle and edge rusher before adding a running back.

With picks at 10, 39 & 41, they can go tackle/edge and still land a stud back. Hell, they could wait until the third and still might get a bell cow running back.

If you’ve followed my mock drafts, you know I’ve been zeroing in on Quinshon Judkins. To land him, I now think they’ll have to use a second round pick, I do not have any issue with that.